Friday, September 5, 2014

5 September 1993 - A Monumental Victory

On 5 September 1993, Colombia humbled Argentina by the score of 0-5 in a World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Colombia entered the match brimming with confidence. They were one point ahead of Argentina in the group standings and had just beaten the Albiceleste 2-1 three weeks earlier in Barranquilla, ending Argentina's 33-match win streak. The confidence proved well-placed, as, in the 41st minute, Colombian midfielder Carlos Valderrama sent a through ball to fellow midfielder Freddy Rincón, who then rounded the Argentinian keeper and tapped the ball into the empty net.

After the break, Argentina attacked in an effort to get an equalizer. As the Albiceleste pushed forward, Colombia took advantage of the exposed holes in the back and scored four more goals--another from Rincón (62'), two from striker Faustino Asprilla (49', 64'), and one from striker Adolfo Valencia (84').

After the match, Argentina's manager Alfio Basile was quoted as saying "I never want to think about that match again. It was a crime against nature, a day when I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and bury myself in it." The loss was Argentina's first home loss in a World Cup qualifier and their last one for 16 years. Brazil finally snapped that streak with a 1-3 win on 5 September 2009.